Circuit Judge Thomas Heneghan, 56

Cook County Circuit Judge Thomas J. Heneghan, 56, began his law career in the Chicago corporation counsel`s office under the administration of the late Mayor Richard J. Daley.

He died Sunday in his Chicago home after suffering a heart attack.

Judge Heneghan, who was active in Democratic Party politics as a young man when he served as a city attorney, was appointed to the bench in 1987 by Supreme Court Justice William Clark and won election to the same position in 1988.

His elevation to the bench came after he had spent 20 years as a senior partner in the Chicago law firm of Rock, Fusco, Reynolds & Heneghan, 29 S. LaSalle St.

``Tom Heneghan was a pure Chicagoan,`` said Illinois Senate President Philip Rock, Judge Heneghan`s former law partner and longtime friend. ``He loved the city and everything about it.

``He was proud that his many years of legal service finally led to an appointment and election to the Circuit Court. He was a distinguished lawyer and a good friend, who will be deeply missed.``

Judge Heneghan, a graduate of De Paul University, was an assistant corporation counsel and a Democratic Party regular when he unsuccessfully ran for delegate to the Illinois constitutional convention in 1969.

The following year, longtime 46th Ward committeeman Joseph Gill asked Judge Heneghan to run for the ward committeeman`s post in the 44th Ward after a large portion of what was the 46th Ward was redistricted into the 44th.

What was expected to be one of the most bitter ward battles in the history of Democratic politics was averted when a settlement, believed to have been arranged by Daley, allowed for then-state Rep. John Merlo to assume the post.

There was speculation at the time that Judge Heneghan would become the ward`s next aldermanic candidate, but Judge Heneghan instead concentrated on his law practice.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne; a son, Thomas P.; a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Moody; two grandchildren; and two sisters.